What I learned from the Journal General
We can invite God into our writing, and he will guide us
“To them, their alcoholic life seems the only normal one. They are restless, irritable, and discontented, unless they can again experience the sense of ease and comfort which comes at once by taking a few drinks—drinks which they see others taking with impunity.”
-Alcoholics Anonymous pp. xxvi-xxvii
I was looking over my journal recently and came upon some entries from one year ago. After reading over these writings, I saw on the next page a Fourth Step inventory I wrote out last year. I was reminded once again that this program is a lifelong process that I am blessed to be a part of. I am willing to continually practice the Twelve Steps at every stage of my sobriety.
My journal also reminds me of my good friend in sobriety. She passed away unexpectedly when I was five years sober. She affectionately held the title of the “Journal General” from those who knew her. She was a strong believer in writing it out. Dump it on paper. See what is bothering you.
Our minds often race with confusing thoughts that have nowhere to go. These thoughts spin endlessly hour after hour, day after day. Journaling is the way to get these thoughts out of my head. We can invite God into our writing, and he will guide us.
I think so many people in recovery are afraid of the writing. We are afraid to see what will end up on that paper—of what it will say about us. Or perhaps we don’t believe it will really work. But it does work. I had to learn to trust my sponsor and my sober friend when they directed me to journal out my thoughts. And to write out my inventory. Sometimes we just don’t know what’s best for us, and that’s where the longtime members of AA and Al-Anon can really provide us with sound direction.
This is the November 17 reading from my daily reader, With Gratitude: A Journey in Recovery.
Newcomers are too hung over to speak. Much less listen. Much less read. And ever so much less able to write. Writing should come later. After some sobriety, some listening, some reading. Some speaking.